Creativity flows in campus ‘coffeehouse’

Aspiring writers, poets and musicians turned Loftin Student Center into a coffeehouse to share their expressions of creativity. The Cheshyre Cheese Club and the office of student life hosted its first fall Open Mic from 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The center is usually closed on Friday nights, but once a month it abounds with poetry, music, comedy and short stories.

“I used to stay up late at night, avoided grading papers, and wrote music and recorded,” Gilliam “Mike” Burton, English, reading and education chair, said before performing his original song, “Midnight.”

Club member and music sophomore Tony Guerrero kept the audience moving every time he stepped on stage. He recited two odes to the literary club and performed two songs. Feet tapped and heads bobbed to the beat while Guerrero jammed on his red electric guitar his cover of Modern English’s “Melt With You” and “Another State of Mind” by Social Distortion.

Theater and speech sophomore Jeremy Carrizales recited a poem about hands he compiled from different pieces of literature. As Carrizales spoke, his voice changed with each new character. The audience supplied clapping and drum beating as they sipped coffee and nibbled cookies.

As the sun began to set, more students trickled in and walked straight to the sign-up sheet to participate.

Music business freshman Antonio Frank grabbed the audience’s attention with his voice projection and performance of his poem “Words I Never Said.” In a second performance, Frank recited Lupe Fiasco’s song “Kick Push.”

Former club member Robbie Rodgers recited “Linda Loman’s Epilogue,” an original poem. “I came to hangout, hear poetry and encourage creativity,” Rodgers said.

Jane Focht-Hansen, English professor and club adviser, recited poetry as well. “It was a good turnout; it was a comfortable sized group,” she said.

Open Mic Coffee Night promotes the club to students, Guerrero said. It’s open to all majors and meets at 2 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall.

Open Mic Coffee Night is scheduled for Oct. 26 and Nov.16 and is open to the community, Focht-Hansen said.